Mercedes has unveiled the first glimpse of its 2026 Formula 1 challenger, the W17, a car many expect could mark the Silver Arrows' return to the front of the grid. The upcoming season introduces sweeping new chassis and power unit regulations, hailed as the most significant overhaul in the sport's history, giving Mercedes a chance to move past four years of underwhelming results.
Following earlier reveals from Red Bull, Racing Bulls, Haas, and Audi, Mercedes has now showcased the W17's colour scheme. The livery continues the team's familiar design language, blending black and silver with striking Petronas green highlights, a nod to their long-standing fuel and lubricant partner.
Mercedes has unveiled renders of its upcoming W17 Formula 1 challenger, showcasing a distinctive design, particularly noticeable around the rear three-quarters. The bodywork features a lower profile that sharply rises towards the back, setting it apart from the extreme downwash concepts seen on other 2026 cars so far. That said, these are computer-generated visuals rather than the actual car, making it hard to draw firm conclusions until the physical model is revealed.
Mercedes' new W17 is set to make its first appearance on track during next week's Barcelona Shakedown, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli behind the wheel. The pair will continue as teammates for a second straight season, as the team aims to usher in a fresh era of competitiveness under the sweeping 2026 regulations.
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The car will also participate in the official test in Spain, where all 11 teams are permitted to run on any three of the five days between January 26 and 30. Following these initial outings, Mercedes will host its online season launch on February 2, featuring team principal Toto Wolff alongside the drivers to present their plans for the year ahead.